EP2423802A2 - Print control device - Google Patents
Print control device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2423802A2 EP2423802A2 EP11159270A EP11159270A EP2423802A2 EP 2423802 A2 EP2423802 A2 EP 2423802A2 EP 11159270 A EP11159270 A EP 11159270A EP 11159270 A EP11159270 A EP 11159270A EP 2423802 A2 EP2423802 A2 EP 2423802A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- port
- print data
- output
- operation screen
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 41
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 46
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000011900 installation process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002747 voluntary effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
- G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
- G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
- G06F3/1207—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in the user being informed about print result after a job submission
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1236—Connection management
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1237—Print job management
- G06F3/1259—Print job monitoring, e.g. job status
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00278—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N1/32502—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N1/32502—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
- H04N1/32523—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device in systems having a plurality of input or output devices a plurality of output devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
- H04N2201/0037—Topological details of the connection
- H04N2201/0039—Connection via a network
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
- H04N2201/0044—Connecting to a plurality of different apparatus; Using a plurality of different connectors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
- H04N2201/0046—Software interface details, e.g. interaction of operating systems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a print control device and a program thereof for outputting a print job to a printing device.
- print jobs are output to a printing device (for example, a printer) and printing is executed, such a print job is transferred from a print control device (for example, a personal computer (PC)) that is an output source to the printing device via a print port set in the print control device.
- a print control device for example, a personal computer (PC)
- one related art discloses a technology of transferring print jobs via a print port (see, for example, JP-A-2000-267824 ).
- This related art further discloses a printer driver that stores print data when the printer port is not connected to a printer, and sequentially outputs the stored print data to the printer when the connection of the printer port to the printer is confirmed.
- the above-described related-art technology has the following problem. That is, the print data remains in the print control device as long as the communication with the printer is not established. For this reason, usable areas of resources are limited. Specifically, when a wrong port is set, the connection to a printing device will not be established until the setting is adjusted. Thus, the stored print data keeps increasing, thereby making the problem serious.
- the invention aims to solve the problem of the above-described related art.
- Illustrative aspects of the invention provide a print control device and a program thereof by which a long-term retention of print data is expected to be avoided.
- a print control device comprising: a creation unit that creates print data; an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port; a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and a display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- the print control device of the invention determines whether or not print data is output to a non-connected port when a print job is received.
- a non-connected port a port set with a wrong address or a virtual port that is not connected to a real printing device is one example.
- an operation screen for instructing switching of the port or deletion of the print data is displayed.
- the print control device of the invention prompts the switching of the port by displaying the first operation screen so that shift to another port that is connected to the printing device can be expected.
- the print data is output via the port thereafter. Accordingly, accumulation of the print data can be avoided.
- deletion of the print data is prompted with the display of the second operation screen, and the deletion of the print data can be expected. Accordingly, the print data is not easily accumulated.
- a print control method by a print control device having a port connectable to a printing device, the print control method comprising: creating print data; outputting the print data to a printing device through a designated port; determining whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and when it is determined that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displaying at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer, said computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to function as: a creation unit that creates print data; an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port; a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and a display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- a print control device and a program with which avoidance of long-term retention of print data can be expected are realized.
- Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a PC included in the print control system
- Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a display example (print history screen) of a utility program
- Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a display example (print search screen) of the utility program
- Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an installation process according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a deletion process according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a message screen to instruct for switching
- Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a message screen to instruct deletion.
- Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- exemplary embodiments of a print control device according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
- the exemplary embodiments show that the invention is applied to personal computers (PCs) into which universal printer drivers controlling a plurality of kinds of printers with different functions are incorporated.
- PCs personal computers
- a print control system 500 in this exemplary embodiment includes a PC 100 (one example of a print control device) that outputs print data to a designated printer, and printers 201, 202, and 203 having a print function.
- the PC 100 is connected to the printers 201, 202, and 203 through a network 400.
- each of the printers 201, 202, and 203 is not required to be the same model (or type), but may be different from one another.
- the PC 100 is incorporated with a universal printer driver (hereinafter, referred to as a "printer driver 110") that can control a plurality of kinds of printers.
- the printers 201, 202, and 203 are printers that can be compatible with the printer driver 110.
- the printer driver 110 is used.
- connection of any number of printers and PCs composing the print control system 500 may be made.
- other information processing device or image processing device may be connected within the print control system 500.
- the PC 100 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a HDD 54, an operation section 55 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a display section 56 composed of a liquid crystal display and the like, a USB interface 57, and a network interface 58.
- the HDD 54 of the PC 100 is incorporated with an operating system (OS), device drivers controlling various devices, application programs having a print instruction function such as a word processor and a table calculation software, and the like.
- OS operating system
- printer driver 110 is also incorporated into the HDD 54.
- the CPU 51 performs various processes in accordance with a control program read from the ROM 52 and an application program read from the HDD 54 with storing the processing results in the RAM 53 or the HDD 54.
- the operation of the above-described printer driver 110 is also processed by the CPU 51.
- the printer driver 110 includes printer ports and a user interface that can set individual attributes of printers.
- the printer driver 110 of the exemplary embodiment activates a dialog box 60 as shown in Fig. 3 when a user interface display instruction is received.
- the user interface display instruction may be instructed by the printer driver 110 itself in a data output process (which will be described later), for example, in addition to an instruction by an operation from a user.
- the dialog box 60 displays a tab 61 displaying printer information, an OK button 62, and a cancel button 63.
- the tab 61 includes a printer history screen 65 for displaying printer use history, and a printer list screen 66 for displaying a list of printers to which the PC 110 can access.
- Fig. 3 shows a state where the printer history screen 65 is displayed.
- the printer history screen 65 displays a list box 651 for displaying the history of used printers, a detail button 652 for displaying the details of printers selected in the list box 651, and a deletion button 653 for deleting a printer selected in the list box 651 from the list.
- the list box 651 displays information including the model name of a printer, color compatibility, double-side print compatibility, node name, status, and the like.
- the list box 651 displays used printers from one that is closest from the top in order, and the printer displayed uppermost is a printer designated in the present port.
- the list box 651 shows a state where one printer displayed is selected.
- Fig. 4 shows a state where the printer list screen 66 (an example of a selection unit and switching unit) is displayed.
- the printer list screen 66 displays a list box 661 for displaying the list of a printer connected to the PC 100, a detail button 662 for displaying the details of the printer selected in the list box 661, and a search button 663 for searching a printer which the PC 100 can access.
- the list box 661 displays information including the model name of a printer, color compatibility, double-side print compatibility, node name, status, and the like, as in the list box 651 of the printer history screen 65.
- the list box 661 of the printer list screen 66 does not display anything immediately after the dialog box 60 is activated.
- the printer driver 110 searches a printer upon the search button 663 being pressed, and then displays the search result.
- the OK button 62 is pressed in a state where a printer is selected in the list box 661, a port of the printer driver 110 is set to the selected printer.
- the installation process is executed with an installation program of the printer driver 110.
- Step S101 software for the printer driver 110 is installed in the PC 100 (S101).
- a virtual port that in not connected to any printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "dummy port") is set to a port of the printer driver 110 (Step S102).
- the installation process ends after S102.
- the dummy port is set in the installation of the printer driver 110 that is a universal printer driver.
- the driver is a printer driver for a specific model.
- the universal printer driver is compatible with a plurality of models, and a user frequently switches ports for the use. For this reason, it is preferable not to specify one printer as an output destination in the stage of installation.
- a dummy port is set for port setting during installation in the universal printer driver, thereby avoiding output from the unintended printer.
- a deletion process (an example of a designation unit) executed when the deletion button 653 in the printer history screen 65 is pressed will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6 .
- the printer selected in the list box 651 is deleted from the list (S111). Next, it is determined whether or not the printer to be deleted is a printer that performed preceding printing (S 112).
- the dummy port is set to the port of the printer driver 110 (S113).
- the deletion process ends after S 113.
- switching of a port is not necessary. For this reason, the deletion process ends without switching a port.
- the dummy port is set.
- the reason is that a port designated for the next printing is not known.
- the printer driver 110 automatically sets a new port after deletion of the current port, output from an unintended printer may be carried out. Therefore, the dummy port is set in the universal printer driver after the printer designated as the current printer is deleted, thereby avoiding output from an unintended printer.
- the data output process is executed by the printer driver 110 when a print instruction is input from an application program or the like.
- print data in a PDL format is created based on data acquired from the application program (S121).
- the data is created in response to the printer designated as a port.
- a message screen 76 (one example of a first operation screen) for instructing switching of a port as shown in Fig. 8 is displayed (S123). Then, when a next button 671 of the message screen 67 is pressed, the dialog box 60 is activated and the printer list screen 66 (refer to Fig. 4 ) is displayed (S124).
- the port is switched to the selected printer (S130).
- the print data is transmitted through the switched port (S131).
- the port has not been set to the dummy port (S122: NO)
- a port connected to the printer is set, and therefore, the print data is transmitted to the printer through the set port (S131).
- the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends. Incidentally, printing of the print data is started in the printer to which the print data is transmitted.
- the message screen 67 prompting the switching of a port is displayed when the print data is to be transmitted to the dummy port, and the printer list screen 66 enabling the switching of a port is displayed. Accordingly, attention for the switching of a port can be called to a user, and the print data can be transmitted by the switching of a port. As a result, it is expected that accumulation of non-printed data in the PC 100 can be avoided.
- the print data when the dummy port has not been switched (S125: NO), the print data is deleted from the PC 100. Alternatively, the print data may remain in the PC 100.
- the message screen 67 for prompting the switching of a port when the dummy port has not been set it is possible to at least inform the user that the print data cannot be transmitted. For this reason, it is expected that voluntary operation of port switching is performed by the user, and as a result, that accumulation of the non-printed data in the PC 100 is avoided.
- print data is created based on data acquired from an application program (S121).
- the message screen 67 for instructing port switching is displayed (S123), and then the printer list screen 66 is displayed (S124). Then, it is determined whether or not there has been a printer selection instruction (S125). When there is no printer selection instruction (S125: No), a message screen 68 (an example of a second operation screen) for inquiring whether or not the print data is to be deleted is displayed as shown in Fig. 10 before the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S221). Then, it is determined whether or not a deletion instruction has been received (S222).
- the print data is transmitted to the printer (S131). Then, it is determined whether or not there is the print data (hereinafter, referred to as "stored data") stored in S223 (S231).
- stored data (S231: YES)
- the stored data is also transmitted to the printer (S232). After the stored data is transmitted, the transmitted stored data is deleted from the PC 100 (S233). After S233, or if there is no stored data (S231: NO), the transmitted print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends.
- the print data output process of the second embodiment it is inquired whether or not the print data is to be deleted without immediately deleting the print data from the PC 100 even when the port has not been switched.
- the print data is stored, and the stored data is transmitted after port switching. Accordingly, a user can recognize the deletion of the print data. Furthermore, non-deletion of the print data can be selected. In this case, since the print data is remained, an effort to repeat the same print instruction can be saved.
- printing of the stored data is interlocked with printing of other print data, but it is not limited thereto.
- the stored data may be output through the switched port.
- it may be configured such that a button for instructing printing of the stored data is arranged in the dialog box 60, and the stored data may be output when the button is pressed.
- print data is created based on data acquired from an application program (S121).
- the print data is transmitted to the printer (S131).
- the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends.
- the message screen 68 (refer to Fig. 10 ) for inquiring whether or not the print data is to be deleted is displayed (S221).
- S222: YES a deletion instruction of the print data is received
- S222: NO the print data created in S 121 is stored in the HDD 54 (S223), and the data output process ends.
- a screen for instructing the deletion of the print data is immediately displayed instead of prompting switching of a port by displaying the printer list screen 66. Accordingly, it is expected that attention of deleting the print data is called to the user, and accumulation of the print data in the PC 100 is avoided by instructing the deletion.
- non-deletion can be selected (in other words, the cancel button 682 is pressed) in the message screen 68 displayed when the dummy port is set, but the print data may be automatically deleted from the PC 100.
- the deletion may be compulsorily performed without displaying the message screen 68.
- it may be configured that the deletion of the print data is inevitably selected by displaying only the OK button 681 in the message screen 68.
- the PC 100 (printer driver 110) of the exemplary embodiments can be expected to switch to a port connected to a printer by displaying the message screen 67 for instructing port switching and prompting the port switching when the dummy port that is a non-connected port is designated.
- the port is switched, since print data is output through the switched port after that, accumulation of the print data in the PC 100 can be avoided.
- deletion of the print data can be expected by displaying the message screen 68 for instructing the deletion of the print data and prompting the deletion of the print data. Accordingly, the print data can be hardly accumulated in the PC 100.
- the exemplary embodiments of the invention are just simple examples, and they do not limit the invention. Therefore, the invention of course can be improved and modified within a range not departing from the scope of the invention.
- the printer may be one equipped with a print function, and can be applied even to multi-function devices and copy machines.
- a print control device is not limited to PCs.
- the device may be personal digital assistances or workstations.
- the printer is connected to the network 400, but it is not limited thereto.
- a USB connection, a parallel cable connection, and the like are possible.
- a plurality of printers is connected to the PC 100 through the network 400, but the PC 100 may control a plurality of kinds of printers, and does not have to control a plurality of printers.
- the invention can be applied to a case where there is only one printer to be controlled.
- the message screen 67 or 68 is displayed, but it is not limited to the dummy port.
- a port that is not connected to a printer may be possible.
- a port that is set to a wrong address for example, a case where an address used by a user in the past is stored, and a different address from the stored address is set, or a case where the range of available addresses is defined, and an address beyond the range is designated
- a wrong address for example, a case where an address used by a user in the past is stored, and a different address from the stored address is set, or a case where the range of available addresses is defined, and an address beyond the range is designated
- the invention is applied to the universal printer driver, but it is not limited to the universal printer driver.
- the message screen 67 or 68 may be displayed when print data is to be transmitted to a non-connected port to a printer.
- print data is transmitted to a printer through a port after the selection in print data process.
- it can be configured such that succeeding jobs accumulated in the queue during the selection of a printer are also transmitted to the printer through the port after the selection.
- the output unit in the print control device, wherein when the port is switched through the first operation screen, the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to output to the non-connected port to the printing device via the switched port.
- the output unit in the print control device, wherein when the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to have been output to the non-connected port to the printing device through the switched port, the output unit outputs other print data stored in the print control device to the printing device through the switched port.
- print data may be, for example, print data accumulated in a job queue (succeeding job), and may be print data stored in a separate storage area (preceding job) at a time when it is determined to be output via the non-connected port before.
- the print control device further comprises: a selection unit that selects a printing device; and a switching unit that switches the port so that the printing device selected by the selection unit becomes the output destination of print data, wherein the creation unit creates the print data in response to the printing device selected by the selection unit.
- the determination unit determines a virtual port set immediately after installation of a driver as the non-connected port.
- the print control device further comprises: a designation unit that designates a port as a virtual port when the port is not connected to a printing device corresponding to a designated port, wherein the determination unit determines the virtual port as the non-connected port.
- the print control device further comprises: a deletion unit that deletes print data that the determination unit determines to be output to the non-connected port when port switching is not performed through the first operation screen.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a print control device and a program thereof for outputting a print job to a printing device.
- There has been proposed a system, in which print jobs are output to a printing device (for example, a printer) and printing is executed, such a print job is transferred from a print control device (for example, a personal computer (PC)) that is an output source to the printing device via a print port set in the print control device.
- For example, one related art discloses a technology of transferring print jobs via a print port (see, for example,
JP-A-2000-267824 - The above-described related-art technology has the following problem. That is, the print data remains in the print control device as long as the communication with the printer is not established. For this reason, usable areas of resources are limited. Specifically, when a wrong port is set, the connection to a printing device will not be established until the setting is adjusted. Thus, the stored print data keeps increasing, thereby making the problem serious.
- The invention aims to solve the problem of the above-described related art. Illustrative aspects of the invention provide a print control device and a program thereof by which a long-term retention of print data is expected to be avoided.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a print control device comprising: a creation unit that creates print data; an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port; a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and a display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- The print control device of the invention determines whether or not print data is output to a non-connected port when a print job is received. As for the non-connected port, a port set with a wrong address or a virtual port that is not connected to a real printing device is one example. In addition, when it is determined that the print data is set to be output through the non-connected port, an operation screen for instructing switching of the port or deletion of the print data is displayed.
- In other words, when the non-connected port is designated, the print control device of the invention prompts the switching of the port by displaying the first operation screen so that shift to another port that is connected to the printing device can be expected. When the switching to the port is completed, the print data is output via the port thereafter. Accordingly, accumulation of the print data can be avoided. Or, when the non-connected port is designated, deletion of the print data is prompted with the display of the second operation screen, and the deletion of the print data can be expected. Accordingly, the print data is not easily accumulated.
- According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a print control method by a print control device having a port connectable to a printing device, the print control method comprising: creating print data; outputting the print data to a printing device through a designated port; determining whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and when it is determined that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displaying at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer, said computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to function as: a creation unit that creates print data; an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port; a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; and a display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- According to the aspects of the invention, a print control device and a program with which avoidance of long-term retention of print data can be expected are realized.
-
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a PC included in the print control system; -
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a display example (print history screen) of a utility program; -
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a display example (print search screen) of the utility program; -
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an installation process according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a deletion process according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a message screen to instruct for switching; -
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; -
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a message screen to instruct deletion; and -
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data output process according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. - Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a print control device according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments show that the invention is applied to personal computers (PCs) into which universal printer drivers controlling a plurality of kinds of printers with different functions are incorporated.
- As shown in
Fig. 1 , aprint control system 500 in this exemplary embodiment includes a PC 100 (one example of a print control device) that outputs print data to a designated printer, andprinters print control system 500, the PC 100 is connected to theprinters network 400. Incidentally, each of theprinters - The PC 100 is incorporated with a universal printer driver (hereinafter, referred to as a "
printer driver 110") that can control a plurality of kinds of printers. In the exemplary embodiment, theprinters printer driver 110. When a print job is output from the PC 100 to theprinters printer driver 110 is used. - Incidentally, the connection of any number of printers and PCs composing the
print control system 500 may be made. In addition, other information processing device or image processing device may be connected within theprint control system 500. - Next, the brief composition of the PC 100 will be described. As shown in
Fig. 2 , thePC 100 includes aCPU 51, aROM 52, aRAM 53, aHDD 54, anoperation section 55 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, adisplay section 56 composed of a liquid crystal display and the like, a USB interface 57, and anetwork interface 58. - The HDD 54 of the PC 100 is incorporated with an operating system (OS), device drivers controlling various devices, application programs having a print instruction function such as a word processor and a table calculation software, and the like. The above-described
printer driver 110 is also incorporated into theHDD 54. - The
CPU 51 performs various processes in accordance with a control program read from theROM 52 and an application program read from theHDD 54 with storing the processing results in theRAM 53 or theHDD 54. The operation of the above-describedprinter driver 110 is also processed by theCPU 51. - (1) User Interface
- Next, the user interface of the
printer driver 110 will be described. Theprinter driver 110 includes printer ports and a user interface that can set individual attributes of printers. - The
printer driver 110 of the exemplary embodiment activates adialog box 60 as shown inFig. 3 when a user interface display instruction is received. The user interface display instruction may be instructed by theprinter driver 110 itself in a data output process (which will be described later), for example, in addition to an instruction by an operation from a user. Thedialog box 60 displays atab 61 displaying printer information, anOK button 62, and acancel button 63. Thetab 61 includes aprinter history screen 65 for displaying printer use history, and aprinter list screen 66 for displaying a list of printers to which the PC 110 can access. -
Fig. 3 shows a state where theprinter history screen 65 is displayed. Specifically, theprinter history screen 65 displays alist box 651 for displaying the history of used printers, adetail button 652 for displaying the details of printers selected in thelist box 651, and adeletion button 653 for deleting a printer selected in thelist box 651 from the list. Thelist box 651 displays information including the model name of a printer, color compatibility, double-side print compatibility, node name, status, and the like. Thelist box 651 displays used printers from one that is closest from the top in order, and the printer displayed uppermost is a printer designated in the present port. Thelist box 651 shows a state where one printer displayed is selected. -
Fig. 4 shows a state where the printer list screen 66 (an example of a selection unit and switching unit) is displayed. Theprinter list screen 66 displays alist box 661 for displaying the list of a printer connected to thePC 100, adetail button 662 for displaying the details of the printer selected in thelist box 661, and asearch button 663 for searching a printer which thePC 100 can access. Thelist box 661 displays information including the model name of a printer, color compatibility, double-side print compatibility, node name, status, and the like, as in thelist box 651 of theprinter history screen 65. - Incidentally, the
list box 661 of theprinter list screen 66 does not display anything immediately after thedialog box 60 is activated. In other words, theprinter driver 110 searches a printer upon thesearch button 663 being pressed, and then displays the search result. In addition, when theOK button 62 is pressed in a state where a printer is selected in thelist box 661, a port of theprinter driver 110 is set to the selected printer. - (2) Installation Process
- Next, referring to the flowchart of
Fig. 5 , an installation process in which theprinter driver 110 is incorporated into thePC 100 will be described. The installation process is executed with an installation program of theprinter driver 110. - In the installation process, first, software for the
printer driver 110 is installed in the PC 100 (S101). Next, a virtual port that in not connected to any printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "dummy port") is set to a port of the printer driver 110 (Step S102). The installation process ends after S102. - As described above, the dummy port is set in the installation of the
printer driver 110 that is a universal printer driver. In the setting, it is difficult to suppose that ports are frequently switched for the use if the driver is a printer driver for a specific model. For this reason, if the driver is a printer driver for a specific model, it is preferable to set a port after searching for the specific printer during installation (or, after a user designates a port corresponding to the specific printer). On the other hand, it is also supposed that the universal printer driver is compatible with a plurality of models, and a user frequently switches ports for the use. For this reason, it is preferable not to specify one printer as an output destination in the stage of installation. For example, when an administrator carries out installation and a user other than the administrator performs printing, it is considered that the user performing the printing does not know the port setting. In this case, when a port has been set during installation, printout may be output from an unintended printer. Therefore, it is preferable that a dummy port is set for port setting during installation in the universal printer driver, thereby avoiding output from the unintended printer. - (3) Deletion Process
- Next, as another example for setting a dummy port, a deletion process (an example of a designation unit) executed when the
deletion button 653 in theprinter history screen 65 is pressed will be described with reference to the flowchart ofFig. 6 . - In the deletion process, first, the printer selected in the
list box 651 is deleted from the list (S111). Next, it is determined whether or not the printer to be deleted is a printer that performed preceding printing (S 112). - When it is determined to be the printer that performed preceding printing (S 112: YES), the dummy port is set to the port of the printer driver 110 (S113). The deletion process ends after S 113. In contrast, when it is determined not to be the printer that performed the preceding printing (S 112: NO), switching of a port is not necessary. For this reason, the deletion process ends without switching a port.
- As described above, even when the printer that performed the preceding printing, that is, the printer designated as the current port is deleted, the dummy port is set. The reason is that a port designated for the next printing is not known. In other words, if the
printer driver 110 automatically sets a new port after deletion of the current port, output from an unintended printer may be carried out. Therefore, the dummy port is set in the universal printer driver after the printer designated as the current printer is deleted, thereby avoiding output from an unintended printer. - (4) Data Output Process
- (4-1) First Embodiment
- Next, a data output process for outputting print data (one example of a creation unit, an output unit, a determination unit, a display unit, and a deletion unit) will be described with reference to the flowchart of
Fig. 7 . The data output process is executed by theprinter driver 110 when a print instruction is input from an application program or the like. - In the data output process of the first embodiment, first, print data in a PDL format is created based on data acquired from the application program (S121). In S121, the data is created in response to the printer designated as a port. Next, it is determined whether or not the port of the
printer driver 110 is set to the dummy port (S122). - When the port is set to the dummy port (S122: YES), the print data cannot be transmitted. Thus, a message screen 76 (one example of a first operation screen) for instructing switching of a port as shown in
Fig. 8 is displayed (S123). Then, when anext button 671 of themessage screen 67 is pressed, thedialog box 60 is activated and the printer list screen 66 (refer toFig. 4 ) is displayed (S124). - After S124, it is determined whether or not there has been a printer selection instruction (S125). When there is no printer selection instruction, in other words, when the
dialog box 60 ends without selecting a printer (S125: NO), the print data created in S121 is deleted from the PC 100 (S126). With the deletion of the print data, accumulation of the print data in thePC 100 can be avoided. After S126, the data output process ends. - In contrast, when there is the print selection instruction (S125: YES), the port is switched to the selected printer (S130). Thus, the print data is transmitted through the switched port (S131). In addition, when the port has not been set to the dummy port (S122: NO), a port connected to the printer is set, and therefore, the print data is transmitted to the printer through the set port (S131). After the completion of S131, the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends. Incidentally, printing of the print data is started in the printer to which the print data is transmitted.
- In the data output process of the first embodiment, the
message screen 67 prompting the switching of a port is displayed when the print data is to be transmitted to the dummy port, and theprinter list screen 66 enabling the switching of a port is displayed. Accordingly, attention for the switching of a port can be called to a user, and the print data can be transmitted by the switching of a port. As a result, it is expected that accumulation of non-printed data in thePC 100 can be avoided. - Incidentally, in the first embodiment, when the dummy port has not been switched (S125: NO), the print data is deleted from the
PC 100. Alternatively, the print data may remain in thePC 100. In the first embodiment, by displaying themessage screen 67 for prompting the switching of a port when the dummy port has not been set, it is possible to at least inform the user that the print data cannot be transmitted. For this reason, it is expected that voluntary operation of port switching is performed by the user, and as a result, that accumulation of the non-printed data in thePC 100 is avoided. - (4-2) Second Embodiment
- Next, another embodiment of the data output process will be described with reference to the flowchart of
Fig. 9 . In the data output process of a second embodiment, when the port is not switched, it is confirmed whether or not print data is to be deleted. This is a different point from the first embodiment in which the print data has to be deleted when the port is not switched. Furthermore, in the description of the second embodiment, the same process as in the first embodiment will be given with the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. - In the data output process of the second embodiment, first, print data is created based on data acquired from an application program (S121). Next, it is determined whether or not the port of the
printer driver 110 is set to the dummy port (S122). - When the port is set to the dummy port (S122: YES), the
message screen 67 for instructing port switching is displayed (S123), and then theprinter list screen 66 is displayed (S124). Then, it is determined whether or not there has been a printer selection instruction (S125). When there is no printer selection instruction (S125: No), a message screen 68 (an example of a second operation screen) for inquiring whether or not the print data is to be deleted is displayed as shown inFig. 10 before the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S221). Then, it is determined whether or not a deletion instruction has been received (S222). - When a deletion instruction of the print data is received, in other words, when an
OK button 681 in themessage screen 68 is pressed (S222: YES), the print data created in S 121 is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends. In contrast, when the deletion instruction of the print data has not been received, in other words, when a cancelbutton 682 in themessage screen 68 is pressed (S222: NO), the print data created in S121 is stored in the HDD 54 (S223), and the data output process ends. - When the port has not been set to the dummy port (S122: NO), or when there is a selection instruction of a printer (S125: YES) and the port is switched (S 13 0), the print data is transmitted to the printer (S131). Then, it is determined whether or not there is the print data (hereinafter, referred to as "stored data") stored in S223 (S231). When there is stored data (S231: YES), the stored data is also transmitted to the printer (S232). After the stored data is transmitted, the transmitted stored data is deleted from the PC 100 (S233). After S233, or if there is no stored data (S231: NO), the transmitted print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends.
- In the data output process of the second embodiment, it is inquired whether or not the print data is to be deleted without immediately deleting the print data from the
PC 100 even when the port has not been switched. In addition, when the print data is not to be deleted, the print data is stored, and the stored data is transmitted after port switching. Accordingly, a user can recognize the deletion of the print data. Furthermore, non-deletion of the print data can be selected. In this case, since the print data is remained, an effort to repeat the same print instruction can be saved. - Incidentally, in the second embodiment, printing of the stored data is interlocked with printing of other print data, but it is not limited thereto. For example, when a user activates the
dialog box 60 at a time point not relating to printing, upon the port of theprint driver 110 being switched from the dummy port to another port, the stored data may be output through the switched port. In addition, it may be configured such that a button for instructing printing of the stored data is arranged in thedialog box 60, and the stored data may be output when the button is pressed. - (4-3) Third Embodiment
- Next, a third embodiment of the data output process will be described with reference to the flowchart of
Fig. 11 . In the data output process of the third embodiment, when print data cannot be transmitted, it is confirmed whether or not the print data is to be deleted without performing switching of a port. This is a different point from the first and the second embodiments in which the switching of a port is inquired first when the print data cannot be transmitted. Furthermore, in the description of the third embodiment, the same processes as in the first and the second embodiments are given with the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. - In the data output process of the third embodiment, first, print data is created based on data acquired from an application program (S121). Next, it is determined whether or not the port of the
printer driver 110 is set to the dummy port (S122). When the port is not set to the dummy port (S122: NO), the print data is transmitted to the printer (S131). After completing S 131, the print data is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends. - In contrast, when the port is set to the dummy port (S122: YES), the message screen 68 (refer to
Fig. 10 ) for inquiring whether or not the print data is to be deleted is displayed (S221). When a deletion instruction of the print data is received (S222: YES), the print data created in S 121 is deleted from the PC 100 (S126), and the data output process ends. When the deletion instruction of the print data has not been received (S222: NO), the print data created in S 121 is stored in the HDD 54 (S223), and the data output process ends. - In the data output process of the third embodiment, when the print data is to be transmitted to the dummy port, a screen for instructing the deletion of the print data is immediately displayed instead of prompting switching of a port by displaying the
printer list screen 66. Accordingly, it is expected that attention of deleting the print data is called to the user, and accumulation of the print data in thePC 100 is avoided by instructing the deletion. - Incidentally, non-deletion can be selected (in other words, the cancel
button 682 is pressed) in themessage screen 68 displayed when the dummy port is set, but the print data may be automatically deleted from thePC 100. For example, the deletion may be compulsorily performed without displaying themessage screen 68. Alternatively, it may be configured that the deletion of the print data is inevitably selected by displaying only theOK button 681 in themessage screen 68. - As described above, the PC 100 (printer driver 110) of the exemplary embodiments can be expected to switch to a port connected to a printer by displaying the
message screen 67 for instructing port switching and prompting the port switching when the dummy port that is a non-connected port is designated. When the port is switched, since print data is output through the switched port after that, accumulation of the print data in thePC 100 can be avoided. Or, when the dummy port is designated, deletion of the print data can be expected by displaying themessage screen 68 for instructing the deletion of the print data and prompting the deletion of the print data. Accordingly, the print data can be hardly accumulated in thePC 100. - Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are just simple examples, and they do not limit the invention. Therefore, the invention of course can be improved and modified within a range not departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the printer may be one equipped with a print function, and can be applied even to multi-function devices and copy machines. In addition, a print control device is not limited to PCs. For example, the device may be personal digital assistances or workstations.
- In addition, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the printer is connected to the
network 400, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a USB connection, a parallel cable connection, and the like are possible. - Moreover, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, a plurality of printers is connected to the
PC 100 through thenetwork 400, but thePC 100 may control a plurality of kinds of printers, and does not have to control a plurality of printers. In other words, the invention can be applied to a case where there is only one printer to be controlled. - Furthermore, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, when print data is to be transmitted to the dummy port, the
message screen - In addition, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the invention is applied to the universal printer driver, but it is not limited to the universal printer driver. For example, even if it is a printer driver compatible only with one model, the
message screen - Furthermore, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, after a printer is selected in the
printer list screen 66, print data is transmitted to a printer through a port after the selection in print data process. In addition, it can be configured such that succeeding jobs accumulated in the queue during the selection of a printer are also transmitted to the printer through the port after the selection. - According to another aspect of the invention, in the print control device, wherein when the port is switched through the first operation screen, the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to output to the non-connected port to the printing device via the switched port.
- By using the print data that has been created in advance without change, a user can reduce labor to perform a print operation again.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, in the print control device, wherein when the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to have been output to the non-connected port to the printing device through the switched port, the output unit outputs other print data stored in the print control device to the printing device through the switched port.
- According thereto, it is not necessary to repeat the same process for a plurality of print jobs. Furthermore, other print data may be, for example, print data accumulated in a job queue (succeeding job), and may be print data stored in a separate storage area (preceding job) at a time when it is determined to be output via the non-connected port before.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, the print control device further comprises: a selection unit that selects a printing device; and a switching unit that switches the port so that the printing device selected by the selection unit becomes the output destination of print data, wherein the creation unit creates the print data in response to the printing device selected by the selection unit.
- There are many cases where the print data is set to output via the non-connected port in a driver having the above-described selection unit and the switching unit (for example, a universal driver). For such cases, the invention works favorably.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, in the print control device, wherein the determination unit determines a virtual port set immediately after installation of a driver as the non-connected port.
- It is possible to suppress the print data to be output to a printing device other than one in the setting by having the port immediately after the installment to be a virtual port indicating that a port has not been set. On the other hand, a large amount of print data accumulates if the output of the print data through the virtual port is repeated. However, switching of the port and deletion of the print data are prompted by setting the virtual port to a non-connected port, and thereby avoiding accumulation of the print data.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, the print control device further comprises: a designation unit that designates a port as a virtual port when the port is not connected to a printing device corresponding to a designated port, wherein the determination unit determines the virtual port as the non-connected port.
- By setting a port that has been in non-connection with a printing device corresponding to the designated port to be a virtual port, it is possible to suppress the print data from outputting to a printing device other than one in the setting. On the other hand, a large amount of print data is accumulated when output of the print data through the virtual port is repeated. However, by setting the virtual port to a non-connected port, switching of the port and deletion of the print data are prompted and thus accumulation of the print data can be avoided.
- According to still another aspect of the invention, the print control device further comprises: a deletion unit that deletes print data that the determination unit determines to be output to the non-connected port when port switching is not performed through the first operation screen.
- When the port is not switched even though switching of the port is prompted, it is preferable not to leave the print data by deleting the print data.
Claims (11)
- A print control device comprising:a creation unit (S121) that is configured to create print data;an output unit (110) that is configured to output the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port;a determination unit (S122) that is configured to determine whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; anda display unit which is configured so as, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, to display at least one of a first operation screen (67) that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen (68) that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- The print control device according to claim 1,
wherein when the port is switched through the first operation screen, the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to output to the non-connected port to the printing device via the switched port. - The print control device according to claim 2,
wherein when the output unit outputs the print data that the determination unit determines to have been output to the non-connected port to the printing device through the switched port, the output unit outputs other print data stored in the print control device to the printing device through the switched port. - The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:a selection unit (66) that is configured to select a printing device; anda switching unit (66) that is configured to switch the port so that the printing device selected by the selection unit becomes the output destination of print data,wherein the creation unit is configured to create the print data in response to the printing device selected by the selection unit.
- The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the determination unit is configured to determine a virtual port set immediately after installation of a driver as the non-connected port. - The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:a designation unit that is configured to designate a port as a virtual port when the port is not connected to a printing device corresponding to a designated port,wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the virtual port as the non-connected port.
- The print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:a deletion unit (S126) that is configured to delete print data that the determination unit determines to be output to the non-connected port when port switching is not performed through the first operation screen.
- A print control method by a print control device having a port connectable to a printing device, the print control method comprising:creating print data;outputting the print data to a printing device through a designated port;determining whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; andwhen it is determined that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displaying at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
- The print control method according to claim 8,
wherein when the port is switched through the first operation screen, the outputting the print data includes outputting the print data that the determination unit determines to output to the non-connected port to the printing device via the switched port. - The print control device according to claim 9, further comprising:deleting print data that is determined to be output to the non-connected port when port switching is not performed through the first operation screen.
- A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon and readable by a computer, said computer program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to function as:a creation unit that creates print data;an output unit that outputs the print data created by the creation unit to a printing device through a designated port;a determination unit that determines whether or not the print data is to be output to a non-connected port that is a port not connected to the printing device; anda display unit which, when the determination unit determines that the print data has been output to the non-connected port, displays at least one of a first operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing port switching and a second operation screen that is an operation screen for instructing deletion of the print data.
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP5104926B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 |
CN102385488B (en) | 2015-01-28 |
US8805667B2 (en) | 2014-08-12 |
CN102385488A (en) | 2012-03-21 |
EP2423802B1 (en) | 2018-06-27 |
EP2423802A3 (en) | 2013-05-15 |
JP2012048356A (en) | 2012-03-08 |
US20120050791A1 (en) | 2012-03-01 |
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